Domain vs URL: Understanding The Similarities And Differences
Building a website is crucial to keep you afloat in the digital world. Hence, you must opt for a reliable provider for your domain hosting in Australia. This is because country-specific domain names can help attract more local traffic.
However, you must have noticed that terms like URLs and domain names are often used interchangeably. You should note that your domain in Australia and URL are note the same. In this blog, we talk about the similarities and differences between domain and URL.
Definitions: Domain vs URL
Domain Name
A domain name is a website’s address that is identifiable and readable for humans. It is a combination of characters in a particular order that denotes the location of the website visitor. It is a readable translation of the website’s alphanumeric address (IP address).
When you register a domain name you’ll notice that the domain name is made of different components. For example, if your registered domain name is business.com, business is a second-level domain, and .com is a top-level domain.
URL
URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, on the other hand is a complete web address. The URL is used to locate a particular website or resource on the internet. The URL consists of the website’s domain name, along with other elements like a protocol.
For instance, https://www.business.com/homepage/search is a URL.
“www.business.com” is a domain name, “https” is the protocol, and “homepage/search” is the path that takes you to the specific page of the website.
Similarities Between Domain Names and URLs
1. Unique
One of the two top similarities between URLs and domain names is their uniqueness. Every URL and domain name is unique to itself and the website. These two elements are considered to be unique identifiers, ensuring no two websites can have the same domain name.
2. Web Address
Both the elements, URLs and domain names, function as web addresses that allow users to access websites and resources on the internet. For an average user, these are links that redirect them to a specific page or website that they want to access and read.
Differences Between Domains and URLs
1. Address Format
A domain name is an understandable version of a website’s address. A URL is a string of elements that represent the complete web address of a web page. It points to a specific page on a website.
2. Structure
A domain name contains three primary parts – top-level, second-level, and intermediate-level domain. In addition to these primary parts, you also find the country code top-level domain. These CcTLDs are country-specific. For example, .au for Australia.
On the other hand, a URL contains protocol (http/https), sub-domain (www), domain (business), subdirectory (homepage) and path (search_for_xyz).
3. Functionality
The domain name’s function is to identify and access the landing/homepage of the website. It redirects the users to the primary entry point of a website.
URL is used to locate, identify, and access a specific resource or page within the website. It redirects users to a particular page, file, source, or paragraph of the website content.
Ending Note
Most people often use these terms, domain names and URLs as interchangeable elements. The primary reason behind this is that both serve a common function, which is to redirect you somewhere on the website. One is more specific than the other.
As a website owner, one must always understand the difference between these two. We hope this helped you comprehend the similarities and differences between domains and URLs.
